Addressing Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Times of Crisis: Evidence and recommendations for further action to protect vulnerable and mobile populations

Human trafficking, or Trafficking in Persons (TiP) as it is referred to in this report, is a serious crime with grave human rights violations that is, according to the International Organization on Migration (IOM), largely overlooked in crisis situations by both governmental and non-governmental actors. The IOM is also concerned that this occurs due to false assumptions, difficult definitions, lack of knowledge, and a misunderstanding between trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

This briefing document addresses the risks, the prevention of incidences and how to improve the response on human trafficking in the various phases of a crisis (before, during and after), with a focus on armed conflicts, natural disasters and protracted crises. It seeks to answer the question: why is human trafficking overlooked in times of crisis? Case studies in different settings are provided, in: armed conflict, natural disasters, and mixed flows in complex settings.

The briefing not only provides recommended response strategies for states, the humanitarian community, the UN system, and the donor community, but also specific parameters of response for each of them in the before, during, and after of a crisis situation.